LinuxDucks Yahoo Group is a Linux Operating System Club for all interested - Users and the curious, come on in ! We will post in-the-news type content to stay up on Linux news and views and of course any important security items that may be published to observe. All members may absolutely post, ask questions, and comment - only uncivil behavior is unacceptable as self defeating anyway (no spam). We have re-opened Linux-Ducks Yahoo Groups with the exciting release of the Ubuntu One Click Installer (once a prototype) for Windows machines to create a dual boot system (Use either Windows or Linux at start up). As well, Ubuntu Linux has the Netbook versions ! There are a large handful of "Linux Flavors" to choose from for this free open source [donate] and remarkable disk computer and solid state drive [netbooks] operating system. JOIN NOW ! Cut a distro ! Try the Ubuntu installer - one click installation for Windows Users. Very easy, and all Help How To will be bookmarked here at Links. TIP: We recommend any Debian Based flavor of Linux. Linux can be installed by burning to CD/DVD (Get an ISO burner free) or a USB Drive stick (Netbooks). OPTIONS --Installing Linux allows wipe the disk (erase all) and install just Linux OR dual boot Linux allows keeping Windows / Mac and Linux also on same computer OR just running it as a Demo Mode slightly limited functionality to Test Drive Linux and upon eject no changes occur. JOIN OUR LINUX DUCKS FORUM and here for the mailing list. ALSO Alternate mirror website LinuxDucks Google Sites For Windows Security VISIT OUR PC SECURITY SITE BlueCollarPC Security Helper

THIS WARNING should have been up from the beginning about installing Linux as a dual boot system along side Windows. It is virtually impossible to remove Linux from a dual boot system with Windows XP UNLESS you have your Emergency CD Repair Disk or equivalent to be able to click REPAIR. Simply is deleting Linux stuff info and first and then rewriting XP stuff info into the boot up sector or MBR Master Boot Record.

Basically, as you can see in the Vista YouTube movie posted above - you simply do this with XP at Disk Management - delete the Linux system. HOWEVER, you need to use the REPAIR action with a Recovery Disk to type in a couple DOS Command Prompts manually - as there apparently is no easy utility software able to do this in XP and lower (Win98,95 etc).

So basically the same procedure with the utility for Vista and higher EXCEPT it is neccessary to manually type in the boot up command restoring the PC to NORMAL with XP only intact as it was before installing Linux beside it.

COMPARE THE INFORMATION AT THESE LINKS AND PERFORM THE TASK SAFELY - REHEARSE IT FIRST AND DO IT.

How to safely uninstall Linux when Dual boot installed with Windows ... http://www.hungry-hackers.com/2009/02/how-to-safely-uninstall-linux-when-dual-boot-installed-with-windows-xp.html

YOU TUBE - ON A DELL.... UTLR1's channel Uninstalling Linux from the drive http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU5p7vng8jk How to uninstall, or more accurately, delete Linux and go back to Windows only. I personally don't know why anyone would do this :-) but I know some do and they don't know how and they run into trouble when they do so this is a good way to do that.

Microsoft: How to Remove Linux and Install Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314458 Sep 23, 2011 – This article explains how to remove the Linux operating system from your computer and install Windows XP. This article assumes that Linux is ... http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314458

HOW EASY IS LINUX TO INSTALL / CAN I USE IT WITH WINDOWS ?

You may have heard Linux is very nerdy or geeky or plain too hard to install or use. NOTHING can be further from the truth. I remember a few years ago reading of How To and it looked very difficult. It is so simple I found once doing it and in very little time - even way under an hour altogether as up and running and online ! If you can operate a computer - you already know how to use Linux ! That simple.

Without all the tech talk and geeky explanations - here is how easy it is to install and use. You will have options when installing if you wish to totally erase your present computer (wipe the disk) to install the version of Linux of choice. (This is ideal for Windows hit by viruses/worms and you just can not fix it and forgot to set up an Emergency Repair CD - you now will have a working computer again with over 30,000 free softwares to use).

You will also have the options if you want to perform the "dual boot" which means keeping Windows and adding Linux to choose either at start up to use. You can set the amount of hard drive memory you wish to use for Linux. Always use at least 10Gigs and towards 30Gigs is desirable and if you are going to download music and movies etc - allow enough room. In a dual boot I would NOT use more than one third of your memory. Windows needs that much to run well and expand. Like a 180 Gig drive - let Windows keep 120 Gigs. (When approaching 1T size, this does no longer apply) .

*****NOTE that instructions below here are the same if you wish to JUST TRY LINUX IN DEMO MODE..... The Demo/Try Option appears on the [panel when you go to install Linux. Choose "TRY LINUX" instead of 'install Linux'. (SIMPLE)

WE NEED TO DOWNLOAD YOUR LINUX CHOICE - DOWNLOAD THE THING TO PUT IT ON - BURN THIS ONTO A CD/DVD AND DVD IS PREFERRED AND NOW READY TO INSTALL.....

IF ON NETBOOK WE NEED TO GET A USB DRIVE (about $10 to $20 USD) AND DOWNLOAD THE LINUX NETBOOK EDITION AND DOWNLOAD THE THING TO PUT IT IN TO TRANSFER TO THE USB DRIVE TO INSTALL ON THE NETBOOK.

# BEGIN.....

***** NOTE THAT THE LINUX DOWNLOAD IS CALLED AN "ISO" which is a computer operating system to be prepared for installation via CD/DVD . Like when you buy Windows on DVD it would be the Windows ISO prepared for installation. We prepare Linux for installation with an ISO burning utility FREE and we recommend easy as pie popular free InfraRecorder (below)

# Download for DESKTOP/LAPTOP/NOTEBOOK INSTALL. (ONLY if real notebook - has a exhaust whisper fan on it - NOT a netbook that does not) InfraRecorder (RECOMMENDED)http://infrarecorder.org/InfraRecorder is a free CD/DVD burning solution for Microsoft Windows. It offers a wide range of powerful features; all through an easy to use application interface and Windows Explorer integration. [Record disc images (ISO and BIN/CUE) ].

# Open InfraRecorder and click 'Write Image' and you Go To your Linux copy like at My Documents - wherever you downloaded the ISO to - locate your Linux ISO and click to Upload into InfraRecorder. READY !

# Make sure you have already placed a DVD into the CD drawer and click Burn To DVD. THAT SIMPLE ! ! ! When done, you are now ready to install Linux or use this as the "Live CD" or "Live Distro" meaning you can just choose "TRY LINUX" instead of Install Linux, same instructions for Demo Mode (Live CD or sometimes called Live Distro) or installation.

NOW READY TO TRY OR INSTALL LINUX

***** FOR NETBOOKS ...... since these do not have a CD Drawer you can still do it with a USB Drive - sometimes called a thumb drive. Now, thewre are the USB Media Sticks and the USB Drives. These look almost alike. Make SURE you get the USB DRIVE and not a media storage stick by mistake. Get one with at least 2 to 4 Gigs size. That is the general smallest one these days and you need at least the 2 Gigs size for Linux install. They are about 10 to 20 USD (united states dollars) and sell many places as computer stores and drug stores etc.

# Open Unetbootin or USB Universal installer and upload your Linux of choice - and transfer to the USB Drive plugged into the USB port on the netbook. Safely eject the USB Drive when done. Now place the USB Drive in and click Restart. On restart as the computer is starting up keep tapping the ESC escape key top left on keyboard. If the Linux interface to Try (Demo) or Install Options does not appear (depends on the make of the netbook) you will have to restart and enter the computer BIOS controls. This is done by tapping either the F2 or F10 key top of keyboard depending on computer make - as the computer is starting up. Go To the BOOT ORDER and there move the USB Drive to the top and click the F10 key to Save Changes and will automatically reboot the USB Drive start up. If that did not work then REPEAT this except on start up ALSO keep tapping the ESC escape key top left on start up.

# The Linux options panel will appear with choices to TRY Linux or Install Linux and further options for install as to install Linux only including wiping the disk first (seconds) OR dual install to keep Windows and install Linux and how much hard drive memory to allocate for it. Choose at least 10Gigs closer to 30 Gigs for best operating.

DONE AND ENJOY LINUX ! that simple !

Final NOTE..... If you choose to just Try Linux - the Install Linux icon will be placed on the Desktop Background and you can simply double click that to begin the process with all the install options.